A Pitt County drug search dog missing since Jan.1 was found safe and apparently sound in Goldsboro, a sheriff’s official said Friday.
Felix, a 3-year-old neutered male lack labrador retriever, was being taken care of by someone whom the dog had approached, Chief James Tripp said.
“The man was out walking and the dog just followed him home. His girlfriend fell in love with him because he’s so friendly,” Tripp said.
The 70-75 pound K-9 was last seen at 12:30 p.m. New Year’s Day near Ridge and Sandhill drives. He was being watched by his handler’s parents while the officer was on vacation, Tripp said.
He was not wearing a collar when he escaped from an outdoor pen while the officer’s parents were out, first reports said. His disappearance sparked neighbors, local agencies and others to aid in search efforts, the chief said.
The investigation into Felix’s escapade in Wayne County is continuing, but apparently a neighbor recognized the black lab from news accounts of his disappearance, Tripp said.
The sheriff’s office purchased the dog for $ 4,500 in February, 2009. Including Felix, the sheriff’s office has five K-9 units, Tripp said.

Previous story:

Neighbors, friends and family are pitching in to search for a Pitt County Sheriff’s Office drug search dog that went missing last week from a Goldsboro area neighborhood.

Felix, a 3-year-old neutered black Labrador retriever, was last seen at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 1 near Ridge and Sandhill drives.

Felix’s deputy handler was on vacation, and the canine was being watched by the officer’s parents, said James Tripp, chief of investigations with the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office.

No one was home when the dog escaped from the outdoor kennel, Tripp said. There are no signs of theft.

“The family, neighbors, local agencies and other have helped with trying to locate Felix,” Tripp said. The dog wasn’t wearing a collar when it escaped.

“He’s a friendly dog, not an attack dog, so somebody may have taken him in as a pet,” Tripp said. Felix weighs between 70-75 pounds, officials say. He loves to play fetch.

The sheriff’s office purchased Felix for $4,500 in February. Including Felix, the sheriff’s office has five K-9 units, Tripp said.

Anyone with information about Felix’s location can contact the sheriff’s office at 830-4141.